United City and Kaya-Iloilo hope to wrap up their inaugural campaigns on a bright note when the group stage of the AFC Champions League concludes Sunday, July 11.
Three days after becoming the first FIlipino club to win a match in the Asia’s biggest stage, United City takes on South Korean side Daegu in the match slated 5 p.m. local time (8 p.m. Manila time) at the Bunyodkor Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Kaya, denied of scoring at least a point in the last two matches, will have its last chance of pulling off such feat opposite Vietnamese champion Viettel at 5 p.m. local time (6 p.m. Manila time) at the Leo Stadium in Pathum Thani, Thailand.
Both clubs had contrasting fortunes last Thursday, with United City prevailing over Beijing Guoan, 3-2, and Kaya conceded a late goal in a 1-0 defeat to BG Pathum United.
United City had to overcome a two-goal deficit in the first four minutes with Mark Hartmann scoring twice including the winner, enabling the Philippines Football League titleholders to end a series of frustrating results since the start of the group stage.
It was not the case for Kaya, which came close to holding the Thai champions to a goalless draw also last Thursday until Sarach Yooyen came through for BG Pathum United with the winning goal.
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The two PFL squads were handed lopsided defeats during their first meeting with today’s opponents last June 29.
Kaya fell 5-0 after giving up two goals in the first eight minutes while United City was walloped 7-0 by Daegu.